January Blues

It may be that the January blues are catching up with you after all the Christmas excitement, but I say if you can’t beat them, join them… with some fabulous blue interiors! Whether you’re a fan of the dark and moody blues, or the bright and cheery, there’s something to suit everyone. Here are some fun ways to play around with blue this year.

Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball from RED Edition via Pinterest

Start off your blue interiors in a big way, with the wonderfully rich and deep Hague Blue; here it’s painted from top to toe of this room, giving a gentle hugging feeling. A great way to create an inviting space, especially for a study or cosy snug. If you want to go for a fresher, brighter blue, Light Blue from Farrow & Ball is also a great way to use blue as a neutral, but still keeping the room feeling colourful.

Light Blue by Farrow & Ball from SF Girl via Pinterest

You can also add in some textural big blue ideas into your interior. Some midnight blue curtains, like this Constantina design from Zoffany will help make a warm, but formal environment, a perfect solution for a dining room, where you want to create a sophisticated atmosphere but still make your guest feel at home.

Constantina by Zoffany

If you want keep up the light and contemporary feeling instead of the darker tones of blue, this Quill fabric from Designers Guild must surely make an appearance on your wish-list. The vibrant feathers on a simple background will add interest to a bedroom or living space, I love the additional sheer aqua blue added into the mix as well.

Quill in Duck Egg from Designers Guild

Once you’ve found your base tone of blue, you can build upon this with darker or lighter shades in your accessories. I love these sheepskin cushions from Oliver Bonas, in an indigo, light blue and pink; use a couple of either blue and add a pink one to balance them out.

Sheepskin Cushions from Oliver Bonas

It can be a good idea to contrast your lighting against your chosen wall colour, and really make a statement out of your centre pendant. This contemporary shade by Louis Poulsen in a baby blue shade would work wonderfully against a Hague Blue background.

Collage 450 Pendant Light by Louis Poulsen from Houseology

And if you want to dress up a lighter shade of blue, a dramatic dark pedant will really do the trick, like this Heathfield pedant, which is a match made in heaven for anyone who loves glamorous and luxe interiors, as the inner globes are an absolutely stunning feature.

Lexington 32″ from Heathfield

These tall ceramic vases from Oliver Bonas have a great ombre effect in a watercolour style. They’d make a great addition to a modern, mid-century style sideboard, or to brighten up a bare mantelpiece.

Isabella Tall Ceramic Vase from Oliver Bonas

If you’re looking for more of a pastel, powder blue accessory, this lovely little bowl comes from the Solstice collection at Anthropologie. It also comes in a striking indigo blue, but this light one is rather special, and the perfect addition to a light-hearted brunch table.

Solstice Bowl from Anthropologie

I would pair it with this little number from Anthropologie as well, the starry marble mixture is too good to pass up.

Night Sky Dessert Plate from Anthropologie

Dive straight into the blue, and find something big or small to make you feel a little better this January, and you’ll soon see that having the blues can be a good thing.

Read Full Post »

What are you Light?

Lighting is an integral part of any design scheme, it’s not only about getting the right form of lighting for a room (ambient, task, accent) but also choosing a fitting that will work perfectly with the look and style of your chosen scheme. There are so many options available when it comes to light fittings, from small and minimal to big and dramatic, that it can all seem a little overwhelming at times. But you don’t have to settle for the ordinary or the expected, instead choose to make your lighting the talking point of your home, no matter what your style. I’ve pulled together some ideas in six different styles to inspire you and your lighting needs.

‘Brompton Size 3 Anthracite Glass Pendant’ from Original BTC

If you have a minimal scheme running through your house, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to interrupt this look by adding in some flamboyant lighting pieces. Going for simple pendants doesn’t mean you need to settle for plain. This pendant like from Original BTC is just stunning, it’s a simple design but the use of the black instead of a typical glass pendant gives it an edge over other similar pieces. Featured against a crisp white wall will create a strong, but low-key statement in your home.

‘Atto Pendant’ from Benchmark

These pendants from Benchmark have a modern Scandinavian feel about them. The slits in the shade give the wooden structure a light feel, making it ideal for a minimally dressed room, and depending on the colour scheme, you can use the natural, white or black finish. They’ll make a great addition to a light, airy, modern space.

The industrial trend has been a popular choice in the interior design world over the past few years, with the style showing up in furniture, accessories and lighting. It’s a strong look and with the right building and attitude, can be pulled off to perfection, but it’s important to make sure the trend doesn’t engulf you. To add hints of the style into your lighting, opting for designs that are less obviously industrial will make any future transitions easier to accommodate, you can also apply subtle industrial features to a scheme without completely changing it. I really like this Anglepoise original lamp that’s been given a cosmetic lift with some industrial style additions. The brass accents and the black shade gives the contemporary lamp an industrial undertone.

‘Original 1227 Brass Desk Lamp’ from Anglepoise

For an industrial style pendant that will stay in style for years to come, blending it with some contemporary elements is a failsafe option. This Edison bulb is caged by some modern wiring and along with the addition of some coppery tones, it gives the pendant a well-rounded contemporary look, which would give an industrial scheme a breath of fresh air and a contemporary scheme a hint of that vintage vibe.

‘Juba Caged Pendant Light’ from Clippings

When opting for a contemporary style of lighting, it’s your chance to get a bit creative and turn traditional ideas on their head. A chandelier for example might be considered a traditional style, but today there are many modern designs that adopt its look. This cluster chandelier from Fritz Fryer gives the term a whole new meaning, the translucent shades and the bright red cables name together wonderfully to create a sharp, sophisticated look. It’s a design that would look amazing in a high-ceilinged hallway, making a strong feature to any house.

‘Upton Ceramic Multi Pendant Cluster Chandelier’ from Fritz Fryer

’90° Home’ from Artemide

A floor lamp is not only a great way to light up a dark corner, but can also make its own style statement. It contemporary piece from Artemide oozes with confidence, with a futuristic element to finish off the look. The streamline design could be paired with a sharp, masculine interior to really show it off.

Lighting in a traditionally styled space can be utilised to give the area a clean, fresh and punchy impact. Table lamps in a traditional setting can be the perfect way to add some detailing to a room, the patterned vase from the Abbeywood design from Vaughan has a lovely traditional feel to it, and it kept fresh with a crisp white shade. The elegant piece would look great as a pair on two end tables in a living room.

‘Abbeywood Vase Table Lamp’ from Vaughan

If you have a period property, or want to add some traditional glamour, a dramatic ceiling light can add character and really cement a room’s style. This chandelier from Bella Figura has a classic style and refined nature to it, giving a room a sense of understated grandness. A hallway could be an ideal spot for this piece, making sure you have something eye-catching when you first walk in to the house.

‘Leonardo Ball Chandelier’ from Bella Figura

With a bohemian, eclectic style there is always the challenge of making sure a room isn’t so overloaded with patterns, styles and things that it loses its stylish essence. Incorporating a vibrant lamp into the mix can be a good way to incorporate colour and pattern in a small way instead of large pieces everywhere. Pooky is a fantastic lighting company that has some lovely, bohemian style lamps to hand. They’re the perfect colourful finishing touches to really make a room pop. I love this hand-blown Iris base with a fun shade to go with it, creating a great blend of sophisticated colours in a playful nature.

‘Iris Table Lamp in Turquoise’ from Pooky

‘Decofabulous Pedant Shade’ from Rockett St George

A tasselled lampshade might have once been something you found in your grandma’s house, the shade an unsightly floral pattern and the tassels old and frayed. But these pendants are reinventing the style and giving something fun and wacky back. The luxurious gold tassels contrasted against the abstract shade design gives you a perfect Boho chic shade to add into your home.

When done well, a glamorous style home can look breath-taking, but it’s a theme that needs the right confidence to pull off. Lighting is a great way to add in some beautiful finishing touches for a glamorous setting. A glamorous interior usually consists of dark hues and metallics, so add in a hint of luxurious colours with something like this Amelia table lamp from Heathfield. The wonderful glass base is framed with gold accents giving it a rich, elegant feel.

‘Amelia Table Lamp’ from Heathfield

‘Manor Wall Sconce’ from Graham & Green

I love this beaded wall sconce from Graham & Green, it’s a really original way to use wall lights as a strong design feature, making a smart, elegant and glamorous light fixtures for your scheme.

Finding the right lighting that suits your home, style and yourself can not only create a beautiful atmosphere in your home, but give your style a little lift, making everything just that little bit brighter.

Read Full Post »

Chandelier Fairy Tales

Every time I go to the V&A Museum in London I always spend a little time gazing up at the extravagant chandelier in their grand entrance. The ‘Rotunda’ Chandelier made and designed by Dale Chihuly in 2001 is an exquisite piece of craftsmanship and artistry, you can observe it in a hundred different ways and still not see all the intricate detailing the piece has to offer.

‘Rotunda Chandelier’ at the V&A Museum

Though it’s probably a safe enough to bet that most of us couldn’t really accommodate such an elaborate and outlandish decorative piece in our own homes, there’s something to be said for investing in a showstopper of a light, and in particular a chandelier. Often, when the mind thinks of a chandelier we think of the beautiful, classic chandelier that grace to entrance halls of stately homes and mansions, but in today’s world of interior design there are so many contemporary and alternative versions of the classic design that it’ll make your mind race with possibilities. I’ve found a few of my favourite contemporary chandeliers that are truly irresistible.

‘Mud Beaded Chandelier’ from Abigail Ahern

These beaded chandeliers have kept the classic chandelier shape but swapped out crystals for beads, a real contemporary take on a classic. The draping and styling of the beads creates a beautiful, elegant design, combining extravagance and humility which is perfect for those who are big on style but want to refrain from being overzealous. Instead of the usual twinkling of crystal, the finish on this design is somewhat muted, giving the piece a day-to-day accessibility that more traditional designs lack. Its style makes it the ideal component if you want to add a little glamour to an understated interior scheme.

‘Silicate Chandelier’ from Baker

This stunning piece from Baker reminds me of a multitude of things, from a feathery waterfall to a vintage 1920s ballroom. The soft layering of the glazed pieces of glass mixed with the gold chains that they dangle from is a modern approach, creating beauty out of structural elements and producing a playful nature between hard and soft textures that gives the overall design a gorgeous flair.

‘Neo Baroque Chandelier’ from Abigail Ahern

This Neo Baroque chandelier packs quite a punch. Definitely not for the faint hearted, it’s fusion between the antique world and the futuristic makes for the ultimate statement piece. Its structure has a ghostly element to it, which works perfectly with the neo-gothic design. Despite the sense of grandeur that accompanies the design, the chandelier could be worked into smaller spaces. The translucency of the design means that your room won’t be bombarded by the piece, and will actually sit rather elegantly and subtly.

To take things down a notch or two, if big and bold isn’t your thing, there are plenty of understated, chandelier inspired designs out there that go easy on the drama but still maintain the overall sense of splendour and grace.

‘Aster Chandelier’ from Copper & Silk

This contemporary design gives a comparatively minimalist alternative to the other chandeliers. Its circular design has an assertiveness to it without being over dominant, enabling you to happily have a few situated in a room without it looking excessive. The curved glass and the whole look of the piece has a hint of a retro feel, but there is a contemporariness to the design that brings these vintage motifs into the 21^st Century.

‘Contardi Kubric Chandelier’ from Interior Supply

For a completely contemporary remake of the traditional chandelier, something like this piece from Interior Supply is a marvel. The reflectiveness of the spherical shades is a modern take on the flickering light the crystal from traditional designs would produce. The design is slick, contemporary and stylish, the perfect companion for an architecturally innovative home.

If all the talk of crystal chandeliers has made you nostalgic, a little tradition can always be thrown into the mix. This design, again from Interior Supply, mixes together the best of both worlds, the traditional with the modern. A fresh oval structure, made from satin nickel with the inclusion of crystal beading allows for all the traditional glamour without the domineering nature of a traditional design.

‘Cattelan Italia Cristal’ from Interior Supply

Finally, for the ultimate investment piece that follows the same breath-taking nature that the traditional grand chandeliers would have had, a head-to-toe chainmail covered piece that is full of style and grace. There’s a certain allure that comes with using a single material, here the chainmail replaces crystal but still remembers the same grandeur and elegance of its ancestors, only with a modern twist. The effect created by the texture of the chainmail is truly marvellous and completely conquers the purpose of a chandelier.

‘Chainmail Chandelier’ from Ochre

Read Full Post »

Struck by Lighting!

Guy Fawkes Night in Cambridge is an absolutely beautiful affair, and is an event that is at the forefront of my childhood and adult memories. The fireworks display on Midsummer’s Common is a real feast for the eyes, and reminiscing about previous years has inspired us here at Angel + Blume, so I’ve set about finding some beautiful lighting features and topical wallpaper that hold all the beauty and magic of a fireworks display for your home; making sure that there will be a lot of ooh’s and ahh’s, not just on the 5^th November but all year round.

 

Ochre has some of the most outstanding lighting pieces in their collections. Their products are more in line with works of art then a practical, necessary part of the home, and if you’re in search for something truly eye-catching then Ochre should be your first port of call.

The Seed Cloud collection from Ochre is one of my favourite designs from the company, and is rather alike to falling stars or luminous raindrops; a real masterpiece of style. The contemporary take on a classic chandelier would look stunning over a dining room table, perfect for a luxurious, modern home, but could also make a subtle yet distinctive contrast mixed into a traditional, classically designed interior. For an alternative take try the table lamp version, quite an extraordinary piece to have at eye-level.

 

If you’re interior style is all about theatrics and you want to dive into the world of fantasy and fairytales, this Porta Romana chandelier was made just for you.

The Ivy Shadow chandelier is the definition of a show-stopper, just think of the beautiful shadow imagery the design would make on the walls and ceiling of a room. The theatrical nature of this piece means it isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you’re looking for something special and breathtaking then look no further.

 

Staying on the fabulous and theatrical track, no where does it better then Timorous Beasties. With their designs being so innovative and creative, they are perfect for embellishing your home in originality and flair.

These Golden Oriole wall panels are intended to make your home stand out from the crowd. The richness and romance of the design is something dreams are made of and the mystical elements will make your home shine. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but this wall panelling tells a whole story and if you’re intent of showcasing your style and making a statement this is the perfect way to do so.

 

However, if this is all getting a little too much and something more low-key sounds appealing, you can never go wrong with a much beloved favourite of ours, the Mosaic Dapple by Zoffany.

This is a real crowd pleaser, and is a really fun but subtle way to include a little bit of shine and shimmer.

The same can be said for this beautiful design by Harlequin, and with multiple colours you’ll be spoilt for choice.

 

When going for a contemporary look, it’s easy to be drawn to a minimalist and understated design, but if you want to make a statement, you needn’t compromise on the contemporary aspect.

These fan effect lights from Collingwood are a fun and modern way to create a well-lit space and would look great on a feature wall or lighting up a long corridor.

For some excitement and a bit of colour, Artemide have some outstanding designs, including this Tian Xia Metamorfosi design, which is perfect for creating a cool, vibrant atmosphere for a dinner party.

So remember, remember that the 5^th November is not the only time to create a few sparks and explosions when it comes to your interiors.

Read Full Post »

Lovely Entrance Halls

Hello, everyone! I’m Mari from Arcadian Home blog, a wonderful online place to find lots of decor inspirations. I’m so happy to be visiting Angel + Blume today to share a guest post about lovely entrance halls. In these spaces you can, with a Torchiere Lamp here, a treasured painting there or a collection of treasured found objects prominently displayed, make sure visitors can catch a glimpse of your style vision brought to life—of what’s to come.

Whether you choose to call them foyers, entryways or entrances halls, large or small, they’re spaces just inside the front door of homes and apartments around the world. No matter their size, grand or humble, these “rooms” offer the opportunity to welcome guests in your own personal way.

For your inspiration, here are eight very diverse eclectic spaces we hope you’ll love. Please enjoy!

(Via Decor Arts Now)
A foyer corner filled to overflowing with vintage furnishings and found objects offers an appealing first look at what decorating delights are to be seen within the walls of this well-loved home.

(Via Parkdale Ave.)
Grays and muted golds make for a lovely mix in this small but stylish traditional entrance hall. Foyer lighting in the form of bell jar pendants and shapely black metal wall sconces seems perfect for this chic space.

(Via MacKenzie Horan)
This eclectic vignette atop a long table would be perfect for a narrow entrance hall. It’s a beautiful merging of glam and nature.

(Via Easy Living)
Spacious and curved, this pale hall is at once chic and inviting for guests. White framed family photographs add warmth and charm to the space.

(Via Inspiring Interiors)
A single foyer light—a grand chandelier—is stunning as the focal point of this beautiful entrance hall. Twin black and white kittens as decorative accessories? How cute they are!

(Via My Design Chic)
What a wonderful wide entrance hall this is. With refined restraint, each carefully chosen piece has its proper place. The pretty white, yellow and gray rug pulls the entire design together beautifully.

(Via Chinoiserie Chic)
A contemporary rug, Ikat pillows and touches of Chinoiserie—all work beautifully in this traditional entry.

(Via Little Green Notebook)
An eclectic gallery wall is a great way to add interest to a slightly drab foyer. Opposing stripes on the settee and floor covering are a bold choice that works here. 

Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

What do you think makes entrance halls lovely? Leave us your thoughts below, and be sure to visit our website for more home decor, lighting fixtures, and interior inspirations!

Read Full Post »